05022019-LSTL-01.qxd 2/4/2019 8:19 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Bye, Twitter Singer Demi Lovato deactivated her Twitter account following backlash over her tweets on Grammynominated rapper 21 Savage. IANS LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 5 FEBRUARY 2019 Not all rap is born on the street. Going by the diverse backgrounds of our very own rappers, it’s the passion for music that counts the most Rapid fire I Bollywood star Ranveer Singh showcases a creation of the ‘Love Jain’ collection during the promotion of his upcoming film Gully Boy at the Lakmé Fashion Week 2019. AFP Mona T came as a big surprise when 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music went to Kendrick Lamar. The first rapper to be honoured thus, the new king of hip hop was feted for work that captures the ‘complexity of African-American’ life. He remains the quintessential rapper — grew up in Compton, Los Angeles, amid poverty and gang violence — and speaks of the struggles as well as society — a prototype that has been reinforced by the trailer of Gully Boy, young boy from the slums of Mumbai rapping away for Apna Time Aayega. The film draws inspiration from the ‘rap-to-riches’ story of Divine and Naezy, who shot to fame singing stories of the streets. KENDRICK LAMAR YO YO HONEY SINGH SUCCESS STORY However, not all rap artistes have been shaped in street fights. Badshah aka Aditya Prateek Singh SisoGULLY BOY IS GOING TO BE dia is an engiA FANTASTIC MOVIE BUT IT’S neer from NOT GONNA CHANGE MUCH prestigious PEC, who probably, by FOR THE RAPPERS: his own admisRAPPER MADDY sion, would have been a civil servant if not a rapper. Yo Yo Honey Singh aka Hirdesh Singh studied music at the Trinity LYRICAL CONTENT School in UK before breaking Baba, aka Gautam Sharma, part of band Doorbeen, fused big in Bollywood. The struggles are not just some rap into his rather fun on the streets, points out folk Punjabi number LamKanesh Chawla, who is better berghini. “That was the known as Rob C. This Mas- demand of the song,” the lyriters in Mass Communica- cist says. “I did borrow a slice tions from Panjab University of rap for our song, but real had a fairly middle class-life rap is born on the street and with parents in government stirs the soul,” he insists. Rapper Maddy, Anshit jobs. “While the medium with its fast singing and thought- Sharma, who was rather provoking lyrics is an excel- thrust with this stage name, lent one for voicing rebel- was in boarding in Doon lion, rap is also a lot of fun,” School when he was bit by says the young rapper from the rap bug. An aeronautical tricity who featured on engineering and mass comManj Music’s Taur Sadi munication degree later, he Desi. His latest, has stayed true to rapping. Chal Na, his Rousseau, Marx and mythol100th sin- ogy are a part of his lyrics; he “Anybody gle, was insists, wishing to be a released last Tues- rapper must in day on his invest studying YouTube for it’s channel. SMASH HIT ❝ Ace Indian badminton player PV Sindhu walks the ramp showcasing a creation by designer Misfit Panda at the Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Summer Resort 2019, in Mumbai. PTI Vindu launches comic book Film and television actor Vindu Dara Singh, son of veteran actor and wrestler Dara Singh, has launched his first comic book The Epic Journey of the Great Dara Singh. The book revolves around superheroes like Batman, Superman, Captain America and Wonder Woman who, according to the author, “inspire us by using their unique powers to make our world a better place”. The author said the book captures the story of a “real flesh and blood person” from humble beginnings, who, through unwavering dedication and hard work, elevated himself to be the pride of India. “This is the story of overcoming challenges with valour and integrity, proving those who doubted him wrong and offering a helping hand to those in need. This is the story of Dara Singh. What makes the story so inspiring is legendary Dara Singh’s courageous and powerful choices in his life,” he said. — IANS DIVINE BADSHAH ROB C GREAT TRIBUTE: VINDU DARA SINGH c m y b the thought that counts the most,” says the artiste. IT’S SHAYARI Bohemia, who is called ‘father’ of Punjabi rap, prefers being called ‘Big Brother’ and his is not exactly rap. He insists, “People do credit me with the birth of Punjabi rap, but I would call my work shayari.” Well, it’s the ‘thought’ that counts, is what they all agree with. From gangsta rap to conscious hip hop to Dalit and melodic rap, it’s the thought and expression that matters.